FSB calls for government to rule out national insurance rise for self-employed

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has urged the new government to rule out a national insurance rise for the self-employed.

The business group has suggested that self-employed ‘strivers’ were concerned during the General Election that a ‘tax grab’ could be sprung on them in the form of higher national insurance contributions (NICs).

To help support the UK’s strivers, the FSB has called for the government to bring the Maternity Allowance closer in line with Statutory Maternity Pay, and explore the ‘feasibility of Statutory Paternity Pay’ for all eligible self-employed parents.

Commenting on the issue, Mike Cherry, National Chairman of the FSB, said: ‘The self-employed community is an increasingly critical driver of economic growth in the UK. As the self-employed battle spiralling inflation and a new wave of political uncertainty, the last thing they need is for the government to revisit failed plans for a national insurance hike.’

Following the announcement of an increase in NICs for the self-employed at the 2017 Spring Budget, the FSB launched a ‘stop the 2%’ campaign.

It has also previously compiled a list of problems facing the self-employed. Some of these issues include a lack of sick and holiday pay, late payment from large businesses and a high tax administration cost.